2008 Woodie Awards
Penguins, Rangers Are East Favorites
NHL
Emre Aksoy
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Sports
The best time of the year has finally arrived - the NHL playoffs. Like I mentioned last week, there are some very interesting match-ups in the first round that could really swing either way. Let's focus on the Eastern Conference this week and look what team will rise from the eight.
Quarterfinals
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
This rivalry between these two teams can best be described as pure hatred. In 2001, the eighth-seeded Canadiens destroyed the Bruins hope of claiming the Stanley Cup with an upset in the first round. Now, seven years later, Bruin fans look to return the favor. Unfortunately for them, it won't happen. The Canadiens have too much firepower for the Bruins to contend with on the power play and at regular strength.
Canadians in Five
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Yes, that is indeed not a typo, the Senators are the seventh seed in the East. After their record-setting 13-1-0 start to the season, things have just fallen apart. The Penguins have revenge on their mind after being embarrassed by Ottawa last season in the first round and they will get it. I don't have time, nor the space permitted, to go over every problem that the Senators have, but they are entering this series without captain Daniel Alfedsson, Chris Kelly and Mike Fisher and with questionable goaltending, the Senators are mere shadows of that team that started the season.
Penguins in Four
(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
In his third season in the NHL, we finally get to see Ovechkin in the playoffs. The Caps are the hottest team going into the playoffs with an 11-1-0 record to close out the regular season. Ovechkin is the best player in the league and will be interesting to see how he fairs in the post season, where the intensity increases every shift. This series can really go either way. Both teams have dominating scoring first and second lines, a sold defensive core, and a good checking line. The difference though is in net. Cristobal Huet has been a major reason for the Caps success and I except him to outplay Flyers netminder Marin Biron. I think the Caps will win this series, but it won't easy, especially if they let the Flyers get on the powerplay where they are deadly.
Quarterfinals
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
This rivalry between these two teams can best be described as pure hatred. In 2001, the eighth-seeded Canadiens destroyed the Bruins hope of claiming the Stanley Cup with an upset in the first round. Now, seven years later, Bruin fans look to return the favor. Unfortunately for them, it won't happen. The Canadiens have too much firepower for the Bruins to contend with on the power play and at regular strength.
Canadians in Five
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Yes, that is indeed not a typo, the Senators are the seventh seed in the East. After their record-setting 13-1-0 start to the season, things have just fallen apart. The Penguins have revenge on their mind after being embarrassed by Ottawa last season in the first round and they will get it. I don't have time, nor the space permitted, to go over every problem that the Senators have, but they are entering this series without captain Daniel Alfedsson, Chris Kelly and Mike Fisher and with questionable goaltending, the Senators are mere shadows of that team that started the season.
Penguins in Four
(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
In his third season in the NHL, we finally get to see Ovechkin in the playoffs. The Caps are the hottest team going into the playoffs with an 11-1-0 record to close out the regular season. Ovechkin is the best player in the league and will be interesting to see how he fairs in the post season, where the intensity increases every shift. This series can really go either way. Both teams have dominating scoring first and second lines, a sold defensive core, and a good checking line. The difference though is in net. Cristobal Huet has been a major reason for the Caps success and I except him to outplay Flyers netminder Marin Biron. I think the Caps will win this series, but it won't easy, especially if they let the Flyers get on the powerplay where they are deadly.
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